Born Free 7

Born Free will forever be the mecca of all shows in the United States when it comes to vintage and custom motorcycles. I cheated this year and flew out but it gave me 4 great days of fun! This was my second year attending, I knew a little more about what to expect but I still couldn't get rid of that overwhelming feeling you get while walking the grounds during the days of the show. It's just so surreal to walk through a sea of bikes with license plates ranging from all over the world. I felt a little more at home this year though and pretty much knew where everything was located for the most part. I was lucky enough to get inside a couple days ahead of the show to check out most of the invited builder's bikes. Also, I was able to witness the show set up and tear down; there is a lot that goes into making this show what it is. A huge THANK YOU to Mike Davis and Grant Peterson for all their hard work each and every year, their hospitality and their friendship.

Thursday 6.25.2015 - Street Chopper Pre Party

-Mike Vallely and Revolution Mother played the party as well! I geeked out a little, because skateboarding has been my whole life before motorcycles! They even ended their set with a few of my favorite Black Flag songs!!! It was an over-all awesome party!!

JP Rodman wonShow Class People's Champ with this amazing and art inspired Shovelhead. I watched this build for months on social media, words can't describe how happy I was to see him win!

Richard Mininowon the Art & Fuel Paint contest with an amazing paint, mold combo. Super glad to see him win. He's an amazing artist and great friend!

The invited builders waited anxiously to hear who would win 1st place.

Dalton Walkertook third place with his free hanging Panhead hybrid digger. That bike was absolutely insane, a masterpiece really, and one of my favorite bikes there. It made jaws drop all weekend long.

Arie VanSchyndel took second place with his rendition of a 1950 Panhead he saw in a David Mann painting. It was pretty amazing and the details where flawless from the painting.

Oliver Jones took the top prize with his 107 Cubic Inch Generator Shovelhead. It's one hell of a lane-splitting, high-stance, aggressive, and extremely innovative machine. Not to forget to mention the see-through primary, head, and trans cases, carbon fiber in the paint, and killer one-off wheels you can't find anywhere else. Oliver is a friend of mine and when he won I couldn't have been more stoked to see his face filled with emotion. Seeing his hard work being recognized by his fellow peers was inspiration to everyone. Well-deserved!!!!

They raffled off not one, but three bikes on the first day this year. They gave two H-D Lowriders to one very lucky person and a Pabst Evo Sportster by Speed Merchant to another lucky show attendee!

Israel Cortes won two bikes!!! A 2015 and 1977 Harley-Davidson Lowrider.

Edward Givis took home the PBR Speed Merchant Evo Sportster. The funniest part about this dude winning, was he was in a porta-john when they called his name.

The entire day was extremely fun, laid back and just a little on the warm side. I couldn't have had a better time anywhere else. If you have never been to a Born Free show, I highly suggest to make plans to attend in the near future. I promise it will bring memories for a lifetime! Till next year! Cheers!